Microsoft may bring 3D emoji to Windows 11 after all... maybe

Emoji Faces
Emoji Faces (Image credit: Microsoft)

What you need to know

  • Microsoft may still have plans to ship 3D emoji to Windows 11.
  • Passionate fans criticized Microsoft when the company shipped 2D emoji to its new operating system over new 3D designs.
  • Microsoft has sent mixed messages regarding if 3D emoji will make their way to Windows 11.
  • A recent blog post by a designer at Microsoft outlines the process of creating 3D emoji.

In a LinkedIn blog post, distinguished designer at Microsoft Nando Costa shares a history of the process of making 3D emoji. Twitter user Ethan Alvarée said, "lovely. Wish they actually looked like this on Windows 11" in a tweet to Costa about the blog post, to which Costa said, "thank you and agreed! We're working on that."

Back in August 2021, the official Windows Twitter account shared images of 3D emoji and specifically mentioned that they were for Windows 11. The Windows UK Twitter account also mentioned the new 3D emoji for Windows 11.

Twitter user Mon accused Microsoft of scamming people, which Microsoft's Brandon LeBlanc rebuffed:

In October 2021, a blog post authored in part by LeBlanc highlighted new emoji in a Dev build of Windows 11, but they were 2D versions of the emoji.

Emojigate seems to draw out the passion of Windows users and Microsoft fans. While there's a chance that critics are simply passionate about emoji design, many comments center around the fact that Microsoft seems to have mixed messaging regarding its plans for the 3D emoji.

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Sean Endicott
News Writer and apps editor

Sean Endicott is a news writer and apps editor for Windows Central with 11+ years of experience. A Nottingham Trent journalism graduate, Sean has covered the industry’s arc from the Lumia era to the launch of Windows 11 and generative AI. Having started at Thrifter, he uses his expertise in price tracking to help readers find genuine hardware value.

Beyond tech news, Sean is a UK sports media pioneer. In 2017, he became one of the first to stream via smartphone and is an expert in AP Capture systems. A tech-forward coach, he was named 2024 BAFA Youth Coach of the Year. He is focused on using technology—from AI to Clipchamp—to gain a practical edge.